JP2014221210A - Inhaler including base having at least one sealed cavity for containing medicament - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alternative method for handling a sealed compartment or cavity and an element associated thereto inside an inhaler.SOLUTION: The inhaler comprises a base 106 having at least one sealed cavity 108 for containing a medicament, and a foil part 110 having two faces and one side attached to the base for sealing the medicament in the cavity. A separating element 112' attached to the other side of the foil part to separate the foil part from the cavity, and has a first end part and a second part on the opposite side, and the separating element can move to an intermediate inclined position, at which the first end part can move from the cavity. The separating element can move further from the intermediate inclined position to a transition position transferred from the cavity, and the foil part is removed from the cavity whereby the cavity is opened so that the medicament contained therein is entrained in the fluid flow.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inhaler comprising a base having at least one cavity for containing a drug, such as in the form of a dry powder drug. The invention also relates to a method associated with such an inhaler.

  There are different types of inhalers on the market. A pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) releases a fixed dose of substance in the form of an aerosol. Powder inhalers typically release a dose of powdered material that is entrained in the air stream. In a powder inhaler, the powder can be provided in a bulk container of an inhaler that doses a powder dose. As an alternative to bulk containers, a powder inhaler can include a single compartment or multiple compartments containing individual doses of powdered material. This type of compartment may take the form of a cavity-containing strip connected to a sealing foam or sealing strip in a blister pack or other suitable shape.

  There are different ways to open a compartment containing individual doses of powder. WO 01/72605 discloses a different embodiment of a dosing strip for use in a powder inhaler. Various opening mechanisms have been disclosed. For example, in FIG. 4, the lid strips cover separate blisters that are spaced apart. A lid knob is attached to the lid strip covering each blister. A peeling piece is connected to each lid knob. By opening the exfoliation piece, the blistering agent is opened. In FIG. 22 of WO 01/72605, the dosing strip comprises several blisters that contain the drug powder. Each blister is connected to an individual plunger. The blister is opened by a slider having a wedge that engages a slot on the plunger. The wedge pulls down the plunger, breaks the seal, and releases the drug powder into the flow path for inhalation.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative method of handling sealed compartments or cavities and associated elements in an inhaler.

  These and other objects will become apparent from the following disclosure and are achieved by the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

  The present invention is based on the insight that the opening element can be given a dual function. Therefore, the opening element can have another function different from the opening function before and after opening the sealing compartment containing the powder. In particular, it has been found that the opening element can be in the form of a flow path defining element that guides the flow of fluid. It has also been found that the opening element can continue to function as a closing element that prevents the possibility of residual powder being discharged from the used compartment.

In accordance with at least a first aspect of the present invention, an inhaler is provided. The inhaler
A base having at least one sealed cavity containing a drug;
A foil portion having two sides, one side attached to the base and sealing the drug in the cavity;
A partition element attached to the other side of the foil portion and separating the foil portion from the cavity, the partition element having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end,
The partition element is movable from an intermediate tilt position to a transition position where the first end transitions from the cavity;
The partition element is further movable from an intermediate tilt position to a transition position, at which the second end also transitions from the cavity, removing the foil portion from the cavity, thereby opening the cavity and being contained therein. The drug can be entrained in the fluid stream.

  Thus, the partition element is not simply discarded when it has been used to open the sealing cavity. Rather, the partition element functions as a flow path defining element together with the attached foil portion.

Furthermore, the first end of the partition element is located upstream of the cavity, and the second end of the partition element is located downstream of the cavity. In accordance with at least a second aspect of the present invention, an inhaler is provided. The inhaler
A base having at least one sealed cavity containing a drug;
A foil portion having two sides, one side attached to the base and sealing the drug in the cavity;
A partition element attached to the other side of the foil part and separating the foil part from the cavity;
An actuator for moving the partition element,
Adapting the actuator to impact the partition element at the first point of contact, thereby moving the partition element to an intermediate tilt position;
The actuator impacts the partition element at the second point where it abuts, thereby moving the partition element from the intermediate tilt position to the transition position, transferring the partition element from the cavity at the transition position, and removing the foil portion from the cavity, thereby The cavity is opened and further adapted so that the drug contained therein can be entrained in the fluid stream.

  According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the partition element comprises a return position that causes the partition element having an attached foil portion to be moved back over its associated cavity. Thus, the partition element can not only be discarded after separating the foil from the cavity, but can also be returned to cover the cavity after the fluid stream entrains the powder from the cavity. This makes it difficult for any residual powder to get out of the closed used cavity, and therefore the risk of dose variation that can occur if this type of residual powder is entrained during subsequent inhalation. Decrease. It also reduces the risk of residual powder leaving the cavity and becoming clogged with machine parts in the inhaler or generating rattling noise that is undesirable for the user.

  The inhaler is suitably a single dose inhalation device, but the inventive concept can also be realized with a multiple dose inhalation device. Thus, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the base has a plurality of series of sealed cavities containing the medicament, each cavity being sealed by a separate associated foil portion, each foil portion being The other side is attached to a partition element associated with the individual cavity so that the foil portion can be separated from the cavity.

  Preferably, the cavity is adapted to be indexed relative to the actuator. Therefore, a new flow path is formed for each dose to be administered, and the risk of mixing or releasing the previously not-aggregated agglomerated powder is reduced.

  According to one embodiment, the base is formed as a disk and the cavities are arranged in a continuous circular arrangement around the disk.

  For illustrative purposes only, the following description assumes that the inhaler is oriented so that the cavity is located below the foil portion and the partition element is located above the foil portion. Accordingly, expressions of orientation or orientation such as “upper”, “lateral”, “upper”, and “lower” are used in the present specification assuming the orientation of the inhaler. However, it should be understood that this definition is only used to generate a simple descriptive criterion, and thus the inhaler according to the present invention is not limited to a particular orientation. The same terms are also applicable to both single dose inhalation devices and multiple dose inhalation devices. In order to avoid conciseness and unnecessary repetition, the following description will mainly focus on multiple dose inhalation devices. However, it should be understood that at least some of the features described are also applicable to single dose inhalation devices.

  For multi-dose inhalation devices, it has been found that partition elements can be used to define different flow paths associated with different cavities. Thus, rather than obstructing the flow path during subsequent inhalation, the partition element can actually be used to at least partially define a different flow path. Thus, in at least one exemplary embodiment, each partition element has a first wall portion to which a foil portion is attached to define at least a partial flow path for its associated cavity, and at least a portion for an adjacent cavity. And a second wall portion that defines the flow path. Thus, it should be understood that the present exemplary embodiment can be used in connection with an inhaler comprising a plurality of cavities having individual flow paths. Once the partition element is transferred from the base to allow inhalation, the next cavity has a unique flow path so that the partition element does not interfere with subsequent inhalation. Thus, the partition element is not a hindrance after the first use, but rather contributes to the second use in defining another flow path for another cavity.

  The first and second wall portions of the partition element can be placed on one side and the same side (eg, for possible rotation of the partition element), but the first and second wall portions are suitably Are arranged on different sides of the partition element. This arrangement is suitable for creating individual channels for each cavity. Therefore, by not using the same wall part twice, the risk of powder adhering to this type of wall part remaining and entraining in the subsequent suction flow is considerably reduced. In general, the first wall portion faces its associated cavity located below the first wall portion, thereby forming an upper channel defining wall portion for the associated cavity when leaving the cavity. be able to. In general, the second wall portion may be at least somewhat perpendicular to the first wall portion, thereby forming a side channel defining wall portion with respect to an adjacent cavity.

  The foil remains attached to the partition element when the partition element is spaced from its associated cavity to remove the foil and open the cavity. Therefore, the removed foil portion becomes a part of the first wall portion that defines the flow path.

  The foil portion can be arranged as a single foil, and optionally the foil portion can be defined by perforations or other material weakened portions. As an alternative to a single foil, the foil portions can be applied in the form of individual pieces. The foil portion can be attached to the base and the partition element by welding, gluing or other suitable methods. Note that the terms “foil” and “foil part” are not limited to a single material layer, and the foil or foil part may comprise a plurality of layers. For example, the foil can be provided with a metal layer coated with a paint layer or polymer layer on one or both sides in any suitable combination to provide the desired stiffness, adhesion capability, and the like.

  In at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each partition element comprises a third wall portion that defines at least a partial flow path for another adjacent cavity on the other side of the associated cavity. In general, the third wall portion is at least somewhat perpendicular to the first wall portion, thereby forming a side channel defining wall portion with respect to the other adjacent cavity.

  As described above, it is conceivable to move the partition element so that the wall portion performs the flow path defining function with respect to two or more cavities, but the flow path defining function is set to 1 for each of the wall portions. Appropriately only in connection with individual cavities. Thus, for example, the first wall portion of a given partition element may partially define a flow path for the powder in the cavity below the partition element, while the second and third wall portions are of the partition element. A channel may be partially defined for two adjacent cavities, each located on the left and right.

  As previously described, the partition element can be transferred from its associated cavity to separate the individual foil portions from the cavity to create an upper channel defining wall portion. The partition element located adjacent to the transferred partition element can also be formed as a part of the flow path definition, typically as a side flow path definition wall part. This is reflected in at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the fluid flow is guided by a flow path defined at least in part by first, second and third successive partition elements, wherein Only the intermediate second partition element is in the transition position. In other words, each partition element has a first position that covers the opening of its associated cavity, and a second position that is spaced from the cavity and allows fluid flow to entrain the drug from the cavity (see the “transition” referred to above. Position "). Thus, the first position includes the initial position (ie, the foil is still attached before the partition element is transferred) and the return position (ie, the partition element is transferred together with the foil portion, and subsequently returned). After).

  The partition element can be returned from the second (transition) position to the first (return) position so as to function as a side flow path defining wall portion for the adjacent cavity. In one example, three consecutive cavities, a first cavity having an associated first partition element, a second cavity having an associated second partition element, and an associated third partition element Assume that there is a third cavity with The second partition element can then function as a side channel defining wall portion for the fluid flow that initially entrains the powder from the first cavity (when opened). The second partition element is then transferred from the associated second cavity to function as an upper channel defining wall portion for fluid flow that entrains the powder from the second cavity thus opened. Can be made. Finally, the second partition element is moved back to the associated second cavity to function as a side channel defining wall portion for fluid flow that entrains the powder from the third cavity (when opened). be able to.

  The multi-functionality of the partition elements exemplified above is reflected at least in part in at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each partition element having a first (initial or return) position covering its associated cavity opening and A second (transition) position spaced from the cavity, each partition element adapted to at least partially define a flow path for fluid flow to entrain the drug from the associated cavity In the second (transition) position, and in the first (initial or return) position, together with an adjacent partition element in the second position, from a cavity in fluid communication with the adjacent partition element At least part of the flow path for the fluid flow entraining the drug is defined.

  Although the partitioning element has been described above as being capable of forming at least a portion of the side channel defining wall portion for an adjacent cavity, one alternative is to provide a fixed side channel defining element. It will be. According to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a septum can be disposed between each pair of adjacent partition elements and extend vertically upward from the base. There are two side bulkheads, one on each side of the cavity (with respect to the fluid flow direction) to assist in defining the flow path, while the partition element associated with that cavity is the upper flow path when lifted. It will form the defining wall part. At the time of assembly, partition walls are mounted on the foil covering the cavity (or coated later), but it is also possible to create weak portions in these foils, thereby establishing a defined foil portion between the partition walls. .

  According to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each partition element comprises an actuator receiving portion, and the inhaler supplies a force to the actuator receiving portion to move the partition element from the first position to the second position. An actuator adapted to be transferred to the position is provided. The opening force can come from below, and the actuator receiving portion can be pushed upward. Alternatively, the opening force can be obtained by applying an upward pulling force onto the actuator receiving portion. Therefore, depending on the direction of the force and the actuator supplying this force, the actuator receiving portion can be designed by various methods such as protrusions, gripping tools, wrinkles, indentations, overhangs and grooves.

  In order to separate the foil part from the cavity in which it is sealed, the foil part must be properly attached to its associated partition element. According to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion force between the partition element and the individual associated foil parts exceeds the adhesion force between the base and the foil part, thereby providing a partition element of this type. The associated foil portion can be separated from the base by transfer from the associated cavity.

  Suitably, the contact area between the foil portion and its associated attachment partition element is sized such that no flow breakage-preventing foil portion remains after separation has occurred. In other words, the flow path downstream and upstream of the cavity opening should be free from any disturbing peripheral edge of the foil. Suitably, on the base, the flow path upstream and downstream of the cavity opening is completely free from the foil after separation has taken place. This can be achieved by designing the partition element with an extension that is longer (or equal) in the flow direction than the foil portion. Since the foil portion extends across the cavity opening to seal the cavity, the adherent partition element must also extend at least across the cavity opening. As described above, the foil portion can form a part of one covering foil provided with perforations or weak portions defining the foil portion. These types of perforations exist between the cavity openings, and when the foil portion ruptures at these perforations or weakened portions, all edges are located on the sides of the cavity as viewed in the flow direction, so that upstream or There will be no disturbing rims downstream.

  There are various ways to obtain greater adhesion at the partition element / foil part interface than at the foil part / base interface. According to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the contact area between the partition element and its associated foil portion is greater than the contact area between the foil portion and the base. In other words, the partition element / foil part interface is greater than the foil part / base interface. When the partition element covers the entire foil part, the contact area is necessarily larger between the partition element and the foil part than the contact area between the foil part and the base. This is because the foil piece located directly above the cavity opening is not attached anywhere and only the surrounding area of the foil is attached to the base.

  Alternative ways of obtaining different adhesion forces are discussed in at least one other exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The foil portion can comprise a first coating layer to which the base is attached and a second coating layer to which the partition element is attached, where the tensile strength of the second coating layer is the tensile strength of the first coating layer. It will exceed. These layers can be provided with different bonding characteristics, such as welding of dissimilar materials, dissimilar or different amounts of adhesive, or any combination thereof.

  Other ways of obtaining a difference in adhesion force are the specially designed geometric features of the partition element, such as a groove in which the foil can be adhered, or a positive grip force through the foil, for example. Other features may be provided.

  The foil part can be folded into the groove of the partition element or otherwise curved around the partition element, for example to increase the adhesion area, but the foil part is suitably just flat, i.e. a single piece parallel to the base. It can only be extended in one plane. Thereby, the simple assembly | attachment of the partition element with respect to a foil part is attained. When they are assembled, the foil can be attached to the base. One alternative is to first deposit the foil portions on the base and then deposit the partition elements on the individual foil portions.

  Suitably, the rigidity of the partition element is substantially greater than the rigidity of the foil part, and the partition element allows the foil part to perform a rigid body movement, and therefore be peeled off in an instant rather than peeled off from the base. Can do.

  While the embodiments illustrated above have described a single cavity with one associated partition element, an alternative would be to have two cavities with one common associated partition element. I will. For example, if two incompatible drug components are to be inhaled at about the same time, they are suitably fed into two separate cavities. The two cavities can be covered and sealed by one common foil part (or one foil part each), which is attached to a common associated partition element extending across both cavities. . Thus, when the partition element is transferred from the cavity, it provides an open lid for both cavities along with the foil portion from which drug components can be entrained in the inhalation flow. The cavities can be connected in the base, i.e. one cavity is arranged downstream of the other cavities, or they are arranged in parallel, i.e. the suction flow reaches the cavity almost simultaneously.

  The inhaler can be linear with a series of cavities arranged along a straight line, but can be suitably designed to be generally annular. In particular, according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base is formed as a disk and the cavities are arranged in a continuous circular array or path around the disk. Therefore, when the medicine has been inhaled from one cavity, the base is rotated relative to the mouthpiece or nasal adapter of the inhaler to index the inhaler to the next cavity.

According to at least a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in an inhaler comprising a base having a plurality of drug containing cavities that can be moved continuously to a dosing position of the inhaler, wherein the inhaler is on one side. A foil portion is provided that is attached to the base to seal the drug in the individual associated cavities and the other side is attached to a plurality of partition elements, each partition element being associated with an individual cavity and a foil. Separate the part from its cavity. This method
Transferring the partition element from its associated cavity, separating the sealing foil portion from the cavity and opening the cavity;
Entraining the drug from the open cavity into the fluid stream when the open cavity is in the administration position;
Returning the transferred partition element to cover its associated cavity;
Indexing the base so that the next cavity moves to the dosing position.

  The separation of the foil part from the cavity by transferring the partition element can be performed, for example, before the indexing. Another alternative would be to disconnect after the index. The method described above is used for the inhaler described in connection with the first aspect of the invention, i.e. the inhaler having a partition element that functions as a flow path defining element for both the individual associated cavities and adjacent cavities. Can do. However, the above method can also be used in an inhaler where each partition element functions only as a flow path defining element of the associated cavity that it covers. For example, a partition can be disposed between the partition elements and extend vertically upward from the base. This type of partition will form a side channel defining wall portion, while the raised partition element will form an upper channel defining wall portion. At the time of assembly, partition walls are mounted on the foil covering the cavity (or coated later), but it is also possible to create weak portions in these foils, thereby establishing a defined foil portion between the partition walls. .

  In at least one embodiment of the invention, the transfer operation includes application of a force that pushes the partition element out of the cavity. An alternative would be that the transfer operation involves the application of a force that pulls the partition element out of the cavity.

  According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the method includes aligning the side of the partition element facing the cavity opening parallel to the cavity opening after the partition element is transferred. Thus, referring to the terminology when discussing the first aspect of the present invention, the first wall portion should be aligned and opposed in parallel with its associated cavity located below the first wall portion. An upper channel defining wall portion can be formed relative to the associated cavity when leaving the cavity, the upper channel defining wall portion being parallel to a plane defined by an edge of the cavity opening. It is said. This allows the fluid flow to move approximately parallel to the plane defined by the cavity edges, where this type of fluid flow itself does not enter the cavity, but instead creates a vortex or vortex in the cavity. Which causes the drug to leave the cavity and merge into the fluid stream. There are other alternatives that have this kind of parallel alignment of the partition elements and cavity openings, depending on the desired flow path characteristics. For example, it can be recalled that the opposite side surface of the transferred partition element has a certain inclination angle (other than zero that results in parallel alignment) with respect to the plane that defines the edge of the cavity opening. This can guide the fluid flow at least partially into the cavity, increase or decrease the flow velocity, or provide other possible effects.

  The second aspect of the invention encompasses any embodiment or any feature described in connection with the first aspect of the invention, as long as these embodiments or features are not inconsistent with the method of the second aspect. I want to be understood.

  The inhaler can contain various drugs and / or bioactive agents to be inhaled.

  The bioactive agent can be selected from any therapeutic agent and diagnostic agent. For example, it is an antiallergic substance, bronchodilator, bronchoconstrictor, alveolar surfactant, analgesic, antibiotic, leukotriene inhibitor or antagonist, anticholinergic agent, mast cell inhibitor, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory agent May be from the group of antineoplastic agents, anesthetics, antituberculosis agents, contrast agents, cardiovascular drugs, enzymes, steroids, genetic material, virus mediators, antisense drugs, proteins, peptides and combinations thereof it can.

  Examples of specific drugs that can be incorporated into the inhaler according to the present invention include mometasone, ipratropium bromide, tiotropium and its salts, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasone dipropionate, reproterol, clenbuterol, rofleponide and salts, Nedocromil, sodium cromoglycate, flunisolide, budesonide, formoterol fumarate dihydrate, Symbicort® (budesonide and formoterol), terbutaline, terbutaline sulfate, salbutamol base and sulfate, fenoterol, 3- [2- (4-Hydroxy-2-oxo-3H-1,3-benzothiazol-7-yl) ethylamino] -N- [2- [2- (4-methylphenyl) ethoxy] ethyl] propanesulfur N'amido include hydrochloride. All of the above compounds can be in the free base form or pharmaceutically acceptable salts well known in the art.

  Combinations of drugs, such as formoterol / budesonide, formoterol / fluticasone, formoterol / mometasone, salmeterol / fluticasone, formoterol / thiotropium salts, zafirlukast / formoterol, zafirlukast / budesonide, montelukast / formoterazol / bosterone Montelukast and loratadine / zafirlukast can also be used.

  Further combinations include tiotropium and fluticasone, tiotropium and budesonide, tiotropium and mometasone, mometasone and salmeterol, formoterol and rofleponide, salmeterol and budesonide, salmeterol and rofleponide, and tiotropium and rofleponide.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the inhaler housing cut away to show some internal details. Fig. 2 schematically shows the state of assembly of a partition element on a base having a plurality of cavities. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically shows an operating procedure including detaching a foil part covering the cavity from the cavity and administering a drug contained in the cavity. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a procedure corresponding substantially to the procedure shown in Figs. 3a to 3c but viewed against the direction of fluid flow. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a procedure corresponding substantially to the procedure shown in Figs. 3a to 3c but viewed against the direction of fluid flow. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a procedure corresponding substantially to the procedure shown in Figs. 3a to 3c but viewed against the direction of fluid flow. The procedure viewed from the back is schematically shown. Fig. 6 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment as an alternative to that shown in Fig. 5a. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an inhaler according to at least another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the inhaler housing cut away to show some internal details.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inhaler 2, with a portion of the inhaler housing 4 cut away to show some internal details. The housing 4 encloses a base 6 having a plurality of cavities 8 sealed by a foil 10 (see FIG. 2). Each cavity 8 has a partition element 12 attached to the top of the foil. The actuator 14 is illustrated here as having an arm and extends from the central position of the inhaler 2. The actuator 14 is adapted to engage one partition element 12 at a time and move the partition element 12 upward to disconnect the foil portion from the cavity 8 below the partition element 12. Thereby, the medicine accommodated in the cavity 8 can be entrained in the fluid flow inhaled by the user. In this example, the fluid stream is in the form of an air stream and the drug exits the inhaler 2 via the mouthpiece 16.

  The actuator 14 can be manually operated by pushing, pressing, rotating, or the like on a button or lever on the inhaler housing 4 (not shown), or can be started by user inhalation. It is latched by an air flow sensitive release mechanism (not shown).

  Before inhalation, during inhalation or after inhalation, the base 6 is rotated (indexed) to bring the next cavity 8 into a predetermined position. This can be mounted by various methods such as using a standard lever on the housing 4. In another alternative, a connection between the base 6 and the mouthpiece cover may be used, but here the removal (or replacement) of the mouthpiece cover causes the base 6 to be indexed into the next cavity 8 by one step. Yet another alternative may be to use an exhalation trigger mechanism that causes the base 6 to be indexed by one.

  The inhaler 2 suitably comprises a structure that provides moisture protection, such as a moisture absorption sink as described, for example, in WO 2006/000758 and other suitable alternatives including desiccants.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the assembly of the partition element 12 on the base 6 having a plurality of cavities 8. The base 6 is generally circular and has a circular shape, and the cavity 8 is disposed in a circular path along the base. When the powder drug is placed in the cavity, the foil 10 can be placed on the base 6 to seal the cavity 8, and then a plurality of partition elements 12 are placed on top of the foil 10, each partition element 12 being The individual cavities 8 can be fitted and aligned. Alternatively, a plurality of partition elements 12 can be attached to the foil first, and then the foil can be attached to the base 6 to seal the cavity 8. Whatever alternative is used, the foil 10 can be provided with perforations or fragile portions that define a portion of the foil that can be readily separated from the cavity when the partition element is lifted from the base. This type of perforation or weakness can be applied, for example, in a separate manufacturing process, but alternatively if the base and / or partition element has structural features that create perforations or weaknesses during the attachment step, This can be achieved when the foil is attached to the base and / or the partition element. The finished assembly consisting of the base 6, the foil 10 and the partitioning element 12 can then be inserted into the housing 4 or any other holding structure disclosed, for example, in WO 2006/000758.

  Most of the components of the inhaler 2 such as the base 6, the partitioning element 12 and the actuator 14 are suitably made from a plastic material such as a polymer, but other materials such as metals and ceramics can be conceived as alternatives. is there.

  3a-3e schematically illustrate an operational procedure that includes detaching the foil portion 110 from the cavity 108 covered by the foil portion 110 and administering a drug contained within the cavity 108. FIG.

  FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view of the cavity 108 in the base 106, where the cavity 108 contains the powdered drug 118 and is sealed by the foil portion 110. The foil portion 110 is attached to the region of the base 106 that surrounds the edge of the cavity opening by any suitable method such as bonding, welding, or bonding. The partition element 112 is attached to the foil portion 110 by any suitable method such as bonding, welding, and bonding. On extension of the flow path direction, the partition element 112 covers the entire foil part 110, the flow path direction being indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3d. Accordingly, the contact area between the partition element 112 and the foil part 110 exceeds the contact area between the foil part 110 and the base 106, and the partition element 112 and the foil are compared with the adhesive force between the foil part 110 and the base 106. It is possible to obtain a larger adhesion force with the portion 110.

  The partition element 112 comprises a lower part 122 and an upper part 124, which can be made as an integral part or as two separate parts joined together. A space 126 exists between the lower portion 122 and the upper portion 124. The space 126 is formed like a compartment that opens towards the center of the inhaler, ie towards the actuator 114. The upper portion 124 has a lower surface 128 that faces the space 126 and the lower portion 122, and the lower surface 124 is slightly curved to allow the actuator 114 to move as described in connection with FIGS. 3b and 3c. The partition elements 112 can be aligned by being inclined. In the position shown in FIG. 3 a, the actuator 114 is inserted substantially horizontally into the space 126.

  When the end portion 130 of the actuator 114 is swung upwards to a predetermined inclination, it engages the lower surface 128 of the upper portion 124 at a first point P1 and exerts a bed leaving force as shown in FIG. 3b. This causes the partition element 112 to be lifted around the pivot point 132 in a rocking motion at the end of the foil / base interface downstream of the cavity 108 along with the adhering seal or foil portion 110.

  The actuator 114 moves forward in the flow direction, that is, further into the compartment-shaped space 126 while maintaining the tilt angle. Thereby, the foil part 110 and the adhesion partition element 112 are completely separated from the base 106. The lower surface 128 is further cut into the compartment-shaped space 126 than the first point P1 of the lower surface 128. When the end portion 130 of the actuator 114 reaches the second point P2 inside the lower surface 128, the partition element 112 has finished swinging in the other direction, and the separated foil portion 110 is shown in the base 106 as shown in FIG. 3c. Bring into a plane parallel to the main plane. This is due to the curvature of the lower surface of the upper portion 124. The vertical distance between the first point P1 and the second point P2 (in this case, the vertical direction is, for example, the direction from the base 106 toward the partition element 112) is the actuator 114 having a desired inclination angle. At a given time, the dimension is set to be equal to the vertical distance between the portions of the actuator 114 that respectively contact the first and second points. It should be understood that this is only one exemplary embodiment, and it is possible to recall using different curvatures on the bottom surface to obtain different orientations of the partition element and the attached foil portion relative to the base.

  As shown in FIG. 3 d, when the foil portion 110 is completely disconnected from the base 106 and the cavity 108 and reaches the desired position, the fluid flow can entrain the powdered agent 118 from the cavity 108. The direction of the fluid flow is indicated by an arrow, the upstream is directed toward the center of the inhaler 2 with respect to the cavity 108, and the downstream is directed radially toward the suction port 16 (see FIG. 1). The fluid flow can be triggered in response to a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 16. Alternatively, the fluid flow is actuated by manually relieving pressure accumulated in a pressure chamber that communicates with a flow path extending between the separated partition element 112 (including the foil portion 110) and the base 106. Can do.

  After inhalation, the actuator 114 is transferred, the partition element 112 is lowered together with the adhesive foil portion 110 onto the base 106 to the return position corresponding to the initial position, and the cavity 108 is covered again as shown in FIG. 3e.

  3a-3e, the actuator 114 is illustrated as having an arm, and the partition element 112 is illustrated as having a compartment-shaped space 126 between the upper portion 124 and the lower portion 122. Other alternative embodiments for transferring 112 from the base 106 along with the adhesive foil portion 110 are also conceivable. The illustrated exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way, but are included for illustrative purposes only.

  4a-4e schematically illustrate an operational procedure that includes detaching the foil portion 110 from the cavity 108 covered by the foil portion 110 and administering a drug contained within the cavity 108. FIG.

  FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional view of the cavity 108 in the base 106, where the cavity 108 contains the powdered drug and is sealed by the foil portion 110. The foil portion 110 is attached to the region of the base 106 that surrounds the edge of the cavity opening by any suitable method such as bonding, welding, or bonding. The partition element 112 ′ is attached to the foil portion 110 by any suitable method such as bonding, welding, and bonding. On extension of the flow path direction, a partition element 112 'covers the entire foil portion 110, the flow path direction being illustrated by arrows in FIG. 4d. Accordingly, the contact area between the partition element 112 ′ and the foil part 110 exceeds the contact area between the foil part 110 and the base 106, and the partition element 112 ′ compared to the adhesive force between the foil part 110 and the base 106. It is possible to obtain a greater adhesion between the foil portion 110 and the foil portion 110.

  The partition element 112 'comprises a lower part and an upper part, which can be made as one piece or as two separate parts joined together. There is an upper surface 140 of the partition element 112 '. This upper surface 140 depicts a ramp at a portion facing the center of the inhaler, that is, facing the actuator 114 '. The actuator 114 'is a pawl adapted to fit around the end of the partition element 112'. As the pawl swings, the movement engages the pawl with the partition element 112 'and tilts and aligns the partition element 112 as described in connection with FIGS. 4b and 4c. The actuator 114 ′ includes an upper end portion 151 and a lower end portion 152.

  When the end 152 of the actuator 114 ′ swings upward at a predetermined angle, the end 152 engages the lower surface 128 of the partition element 112 ′ at the first point P1, and as shown in FIG. 4b, the partition element 112 ′. Exerts a bed leaving force. This lifts the partition element 112 ′ around the pivot point in a rocking motion at the end of the foil / base interface downstream of the cavity 108, along with the adhesive seal or foil portion 110.

  The actuator 114 ′ then swings further toward the engagement between the upper end 151 and the ramp 140. This completely separates the foil portion 110 and the adherent partition element 112 ′ from the base 106. When the end 151 of the actuator 114 ′ reaches the second point P2 inside the lower surface 128, the partition element 112 ′ swings in the other direction, and the separated foil portion 110 is shown in the base 106 as shown in FIG. 4c. Bring in a plane parallel to the main plane. This is due to the curvature of the inclined portion of the upper portion 140. The vertical distance between the first point P1 and the second point P2 (in this case, the vertical direction is, for example, the direction from the base 106 toward the partition element 112) is such that the actuator 114 ′ has a desired inclination angle. At a certain time, the dimension is set to be equal to the vertical distance between the portions of the actuator 114 ′ that respectively contact the first and second points. It should be noted that this is only one exemplary embodiment, and it is also conceivable to use an inclined portion with a different curvature to obtain a different orientation of the partition element and the attached foil portion relative to the base.

  As shown in FIG. 4 d, once the foil portion 110 is completely disconnected from the base 106 and the cavity 108 reaches the desired position, the fluid flow can entrain the powdered drug 118 from the cavity 108. The direction of the fluid flow is indicated by an arrow, the upstream is directed toward the center of the inhaler 2 with respect to the cavity 108, and the downstream is directed radially toward the suction port 16 (see FIG. 1). The fluid flow can be triggered in response to a user inhaling through the mouthpiece 16. Alternatively, the fluid flow is activated by manually relieving the pressure accumulated in the pressure chamber that communicates with the flow path extending between the separated partition element 112 ′ (including the foil portion 110) and the base 106. be able to.

  After inhalation, the actuator 114 ′ is transferred and the partition element 112 ′ with the attached foil portion 110 is lowered onto the base 106 to a return position corresponding to its initial position, re-covering the cavity 108, as shown in FIG. 4e. To do.

  4a-4e, the actuator 114 'is shown as having a pawl and the partition element 112' is shown as having an inclined portion 140 in the upper portion located towards the center of the inhaler, but the attached foil portion 110 is shown. Other alternative embodiments in which the partition element 112 ′ having it is transferred from the base 106 are also conceivable. The illustrated exemplary embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any way, but are included for illustrative purposes only.

  FIGS. 5a-5c substantially correspond to the procedure shown in FIGS. 3a-3c, but schematically illustrate the procedure viewed against the direction of fluid flow.

  To facilitate understanding of the following description, reference will be made to the first cavity 208a, the second cavity 208b, and the third cavity 208c. They are covered by individual first, second and third foil portions 210a-210c and individual first, second and third partition elements 212a-212c. The drug powder in the first cavity 208a is already entrained in the fluid flow after the associated partition element 212a removes the coated foil portion 210a from the cavity 208a. As shown in FIG. 5a, the partition element 212a having the attached foil portion 210a has returned to the base 206 and covers the first cavity 208a. The second cavity 208b is still sealed by the foil portion 210b and appears at the next inhalation of the drug. The third cavity 208c will appear at the position for inhalation after the drug is administered from the second cavity 208b.

  FIG. 5b shows the upward swing of the second partition element 212b and the adhesive foil portion 210b covering the second cavity 208b, and thus corresponds to the operation shown in FIG. 3b.

  FIG. 5c shows the second cavity 208b fully opened when the partition element 212b completely removes the foil portion 210b from the base 206 and the second cavity 208b, in the position shown in FIG. 3c. Correspond. In this position, the powdered drug can be entrained in the fluid stream that bypasses or enters the second cavity 208b. The flow path is defined upward by a second foil portion 210b adhering to the second partition element 212b, where it is considered a part of the second partition element 212b. Therefore, the lower surface of the partition element 212b and the attached foil portion 210b form a first flow path defining wall portion. The first partition element 212a and the third partition element 212c have side flow path defining wall portions 236a and 236c for the same flow path, respectively.

  Note, therefore, that different wall portions of the partition element will be used to define flow paths for different cavities. One wall portion is used for the associated cavity below the partition element and the other wall portion is used for the adjacent cavity. Accordingly, the second partition element 212b also has a lateral second wall portion 236b that defines a flow path that entrains the drug from the first cavity 208a. Has already been used. Furthermore, the second partition element 212b has a lateral third wall portion 236b ′, which is configured to flow through when the drug is entrained from the third cavity 208c. Used to define.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows one exemplary embodiment as an alternative to that shown in FIG. 4a. The partition wall 300 is disposed between adjacent partition elements 312. The partition wall 300 extends vertically upward from the foil 310 on the base 306. Thus, when the partition element 312 is transferred from the base 306, there are two lateral partition walls 300 that assist in defining the flow path, while the transferred partition element 312 is the upper flow path that defines the wall portion. Form.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an inhaler 402 according to at least another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the inhaler housing cut away to show some internal details. The inhaler 402 is a single dose device with only one cavity in the base 406. However, an alternative would have two cavities containing multiple substances that are inhaled simultaneously in a single dose. The partition element 412 attached to the foil covering the cavity can be transferred from the actuator 414 so that the powder in the cavity can be sucked through the mouthpiece 416.

Claims (14)

A base having at least one sealed cavity containing a drug;
A foil portion having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is attached to a base and seals a drug in the sealing cavity;
A partition element attached to the second side of the foil portion and having a first end and a second end opposite the first portion, and separating the foil portion from the sealing cavity ,
The partition element is movable to an intermediate inclined position with the first end away from the sealing cavity;
The partition element is further movable from the intermediate inclined position to a transition position where both the first end and the second end are separated from the sealing cavity;
An inhaler in which, at the transfer position, the sealing cavity is opened so that the medicine contained in the sealing cavity is taken into the fluid flow.   The first end of the partition element is located upstream of the sealing cavity with respect to the fluid flow, and the second end of the partition element is with respect to the fluid flow of the sealing cavity. The inhaler according to claim 1, which is located downstream of. A base having at least one sealed cavity containing a drug;
A foil portion having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is attached to a base and seals a drug in the sealing cavity;
A partition element attached to the second side of the foil portion and separating the foil portion from the sealing cavity;
An inhaler comprising an actuator for moving the partition element,
The actuator hits the partition element at a first contact to move the partition element to an intermediate tilt position, hits the partition element at the second contact to move the partition element from the intermediate tilt position to a transition position, and the transition position. Wherein the partition element is separated from the sealing cavity to open the sealing cavity, so that the drug contained in the sealing cavity is taken into the fluid flow. vessel.   4. The inhaler according to claim 3, wherein when the actuator moves the partition element from the base to the transition position, the actuator slides on the partition element, and the sliding movement draws a curved path.   5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at the transition position of the partition element, the foil portion attached to the partition element forms at least a part of the flow of the fluid that takes in the drug from the sealing cavity. Inhaler as described in.   The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partition element is configured to return from the transfer position together with the attached foil portion to cover the corresponding sealing cavity.   The base has a plurality of the sealing cavities containing the drug in succession, each sealing cavity being sealed by the associated foil part to separate the foil part from the sealing cavity 7. An inhaler according to claim 1, wherein each foil portion has the second side attached to the partition element associated with an individual cavity.   The inhaler according to claim 7, wherein the sealing cavity is configured to be assigned to the actuator.   9. An inhaler according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the base is formed as a disk and the sealing cavities are arranged continuously in a circle around the disk.   The inhaler according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a partition is disposed between each pair of adjacent partition elements, and the partition extends vertically upward from the base. .   The adhesion force between the partition element and the foil portion exceeds the adhesion force between the base portion and the foil portion, and thereby the foil portion is separated from the base portion by the transfer operation of the partition element from the cavity. The inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein:   The inhaler according to claim 11, wherein a contact area between the partition element and the foil part exceeds a contact area between the foil part and the base.   The foil portion includes a first coating layer to which the base is attached and a second coating layer to which the partition element is attached, and the tensile strength of the second coating layer is the tensile strength of the first coating layer. 13. An inhaler according to claim 11 or 12, which exceeds strength.   The inhaler according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the rigidity of the partition element exceeds the rigidity of the foil part, and the foil part can perform rigid body motion by the partition element.

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